PEORIA 


AND  THE 


State  Capital, 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


The  proposed  removal  of  the  State  Capital  from  Springfield  to  Peoria  is  one  of 
the  most  important  questions  now  before  the  people  of  Illinois.  It  is  due,  there- 
fore, that  the  people  should  be  placed  in  possession  of  some  of  the  steps  taken  in 
behalf  of  the  removal  and  the  reasons  urged  therefor. 

Dissatisfaction  having  been  expressed  with  regard  to  the  present  location  of 
the  proposed  new  state  house,  the  scanty  amount  of  ground  (wholly  unsufficient) 
upon  which  it  is  being  erected,  and  the  questionable  manner  in  which  the  appro- 
priations for  its  erection  are  being  expended,  the  citizens  of  Peoria  were  induced 
to  make  a  formal  offer  for  the  removal  of  the  capital  to  the  beautiful  bluffs  which 
overlook  their  place. 

The  first  public  act  of  Peoria  was  the  appointment,  on  the  llth  day  of  Mafch, 
1871,  of  a  committee  of  the  Peoria  Board  of  Trade  to  confer  with  the  citizens  and 
city  council  on  the  subject. 

On  the  following  evening,  Saturday,  March  12,  a  public  meeting  was  held  at 
the  courthouse,  at  which  it  was  unanimously  resolved  that  Peoria  ought  to  offer 
a  sum  sufficient  to  indemnify  the  state  against  any  loss  from  her  present  work,  and 
to  donate  twenty  acres  of  ground  as  an  inducement  for  the  removal  of  the  capital 
to  their  city. 

On  the  evening  of  Tuesday,  March  14,  a  meeting  of  the  city  council  of 
Peoria  was  held,  at  which  communications  signed  by  several  hundred  citizens  were 
read,  offering  if  the  city  should  make  an  offer  for  the  capital,  to  enter  into  personal 
bond  guaranteeing  the  fulfillment  of  any  contract  that  might  be  made.  The  coun- 
cil thereupon  unanimously  adopted  the  following 

RESOLUTION  AND  MEMORIAL  OF  PEORIA. 

WHEREAS,  There  is  good  reason  for  believing  that  with  proper  inducements 
the  capital  of  the  state  of  Illinois  can  be  permanently  located  at  Peoria;  and, 

WHEREAS,  Such  location  is  deemed  of  sufficient  interest  to  said  city  to  war- 
rant her  in  repaying  the  state  for  her  present  outlay  for  the  unfinished  state  house 
at  Springfield,  and  also  the  presentation  of  a  site  for  said  house  upon  our  bluffs ; 
therefore, 

Be  it  Resolved  by  the  city  council  of  the  city  of  Peoria  that  his  honor,  the 
mayor,  be  authorized  and  instructed  in  the  name  and  upon  the  authority  of  the 
city  to  present  the  following  memorial  and  proposition  to  the  legislature  of  the 
state  of  Illinois  now  in  session  at  Springfield,  and  ask  for  the  acceptance  of  the 
same  : 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


To   the   Honorable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  State  of  Illinois 
in  General  Assembly   Convened  : 

The  undersigned,  acting  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  city  of  Peoria,  by  res- 
olution of  the  city  council  authorized  and  instructed,  respectfully  presents  to  your 
honorable  body  the  following  memorial  and  proposition  : 

Believing  it  to  be  for  the  interests  of  the  state  of  Illinois  that  its  capital  be 
transferred  to  Peoria,  provided  the  same  can  be  done  without  loss  occurring  to  the 
state  and  the  people  thereof,  and  also  believing  that  the  city  of  Peoria  can  afford 
to  remunerate  the  state  for  its  present  outlay  on  the  unfinished  state  house  at 
Springfield,  the  city  of  Peoria  offers  and  agrees  that  in  case  said  capital  be  perma- 
nently located  at  Peoria  and  a  state  house  erected  thereat  similar  to  the  one  now 
in  process  of  erection  at  Springfield, 

First,  To  pay  to  the  state  of  Illinois  in  such  manner  and  times  as  your  hon- 
orable body  may  determine,  a  sum  (not  to  exceed  $805,203,08)  sufficient  to  indem- 
nify the  state  for  its  outlay  upon  the  present  structure  at  Springfield.  In  case  the 
offer  be  accepted,  several  hundred  property  holders  of  the  city  of  Peoria  are  ready 
and  pledged  to  enter  into  a  good  and  sufficient  bond  that  the  city  shall,  in  good 
faith,  carry  out  its  portion  of  the  contract  and  pay  over  to  the  state  such  sum 
whenever  called  for ; 

Second,  To  also  provide  and  convey  to  the  state  of  Illinois,  free  of  cost,  such 
lands  upon  the  bluffs  of  said  city  as  may  be  selected  by  a  committee  of  your  hon- 
orable body,  in  quantity  not  less  than  ten  acres,  upon  which  said  lands  the  state 
shall  immediately  proceed  to  erect  a  state  house  similar  to  the  one  now  contem- 
plated to  be  erected  in  Springfield  ; 

Third,  That  the  city  of  Peoria  will  for  the  space  of  five  years,  if  deemed  neces- 
sary, beginning  from  and  after  the  first  day  of  January,  1872,  provide  free  of  cost 
Ib  the  state  of  Illinois  halls  for  the  assembling  of  the  legislature  in  Peoria,  and 
holding  sessions  therein,  said  halls  to  be  equal  in  capacity  and  acceptability  to 
those  now  used  by  the  present  legislature  at  Springfield  ; 

In  submitting  these  propositions,  your  memorialists  would  call  attention  to  the 
superior  advantages  presented  by  Peoria  for  the  capital  of  the  state.  She  is  nearer 
the  centre  of  population  and  the  geographical  centre  of  the  state,  than  any  other 
city.  She  has  competing  railroads,  diverging  to  every  point  of  the  compass.  She 
wiU  have  four  routes  to  Chicago,  three  to  St.  Louis  and  the  southeast,  two  east, 
three  west,  and  three  northwest.  Freights  and  fares  to  Peoria  are  now  as  low  as 
to  any  other  point  in  the  state. 

The  new  state  house  can  be  erected  at  Peoria  at  from  ten  to  fifteen  per  cent, 
cheaper  than  it  can  at  Springfield.  Fuel  of  excellent  quality,  and  unlimited  in 
abundance,  can  always  be  obtained  at  Peoria,  at  lower  rates  than  elsewhere  in 
Illinois.  Her  water  supply  is  abundant  and  cheap,  being  fully  equal  to  that  of 
Chicago.  Her  magnificent  bluffs  present  a  site  for  the  location  of  a  state  house 
unsurpassed  by  any  other  locality  in  the  entire  country.  Abundant  hotel  and 
boarding  house  accommodations  will  be  provided  for  the  members  of  the  legislature, 
at  reasonable  rates. 

Should  this  proposition  be  deemed  worthy  of  serious  attention,  we  hereby 
tender  to  the  general  assembly  an  invitation  to  visit  the  city  of  Peoria,  either  as  a 
body  or  by  committee,  as  it  may  deem  proper,  to  examine  the  site  proposed  and 
offered  to  the  state  for  the  erection  of  its  state  house,  and  will  for  this  purpose, 
upon  reasonable  notice,  engage  to  provide,  free  of  cost  to  the  state,  special  trans- 
portation for  your  honorable  body  to  and  from  the  city,  and  also  to  entertain  you 
while  there. 

The  foregoing  memorial  was  presented  to  the  Legislature  by  Hon.  Gr.  T.  Barker, 
Mayor  of  Peoria,  and  the  invitation  to  visit  the  city  was  accepted.  On  Thursday 
evening,  March  23d,  both  houses  embarked  on  a  special  train,  arrived  at  Peoria 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


the  following  morning,  and  spent  the  day  in  examining  the  locality  and  the  site 
proposed  for  the  new  capitol  building. 

KING'S  BILL. 

On  the  28th  of  March,  Hon.  K.  A.  King,  of  Jersey  county,  introduced  a  bill 
into  the  House  of  Representatives  for  submitting  the  question  of  removing  the 
state  capital  to  Peoria  to  a  vote  of  the  people.  The  bill  is  entitled,  "A  Bill  for 
an  act  to  permanently  locate  the  Seat  of  Government  of  the  State  of  Illinois  at  the 

city  of  Peoria." 

The  preamble  to  the  bill  recites  the  propositions  contained  within  the  Peoria 
Memorial.  The  bill  proper  is  as  follows  : 

SECTION  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  people  of  the  state  of  Illinois  represented 
in  the  general  assembly,  that  from  and  after  the  first  day  of  January,  1872,  the 
seat  of  government  of  the  state  of  Illinois  shall  be  deemed  and  held  to  be  at  the 
city  of  Peoria,  in  the  county  of  Peoria,  and  from  and  after  said  date  all  acts, 
judicial  legislative  or  executive,  required  to  be  done  or  executed  at  the  seat  of 
Government,  shall  be  done  and  executed  at  the  city  of  Peoria,  and  all  laws  requir- 
ing any  officer  to  reside  at  the  seat  of  government,  or  requiring  any  matter  or 
thing  to  be  done  and  performed,  or  requiring  action  of  any  kind  by  officers  or  indi- 
viduals at  the  seat  of  government,  are  hereby  made  and  declared  applicable  to  the 
city  of  Peoria  as  the  seat  of  government.  All  laws  or  enactments  inconsistent 
Herewith  are  hereby  repealed. 

SEC.  2.  Section  1  of  this  act  shall  not  go  into  effect  or  be  in  force  until  the 
city  of  Peoria  shall  substantially  comply  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  general  assembly 
with  the  terms  of  the  preamble  in  this  act. 

SEC.  3.  At  the  election,  to  be  held  on  Tuesday,  the  7th  day  of  November,  1871, 
at  the  usual  places  of  holding  elections,  according  to  the  laws  of  this  state,  the 
question  whether  or  not  the  first  section  of  this  act  shall  go  into  effect  or  m  any 
manner  be  in  force,  shall  be  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  people,  and  if  the  same  is 
approved  by  a  majority  of  all  the  legal  votes  cast  for  or  against  the  same,  it  shall  go 
into  effect  and  be  in  force,  otherwise  it  shall  not  go  into  effect  or  in  any  manner  be 
in  force.  Notices  of  said  election  shall  be  given,  and  said  election  shall  be  con- 
ducted according  to  the  laws  of  this  state  regulating  general  elections.  Each  qual- 
ified elector  voting  at  said  election  shall  have  the  right  to  use  a  ticket  with  the 
words  written  or  printed  thereon  :  "For  the  permanent  location  of  the  seat  of  gov- 
ernment at  Peoria."  Each  of  said  tickets  shall  be  counted  as  a  vote  for  the 
approval  of  the  first  section  of  this  act,  unless  the  same  be  erased  with  ink  or  pencil, 
and  against  said  approval  in  case  it  is  so  cancelled.  And  the  return  of  such  votes 
shall  be  made  accordingly  by  the  judges  of  the  election. 

SEC.  4.  The  return  of  the  votes  for  and  against  the  approval  of  the  first  sec- 
tion of  this  act  shall  be  made  by  the  several  county  clerks  as  is  now  provided  by 
law,  to  the  secretary  of  state  within  twenty  days  after  the  election,  and  said  returns 
shall,  within  five  days  thereafter,  be  canvassed  by  the  auditor,  treasurer  and  secre- 
tary of  state,  or  any  two  of  them  in  the  presence  of  the  governor,  and  proclamation 
shall  be  made  forthwith  by  the  governor  of  the  result  of  the  canvass. 

SEC.  5.  The  secretary  of  state  shall  cause  to  be  published,  in  pamphlet  torm, 
50,000  copies  of  this  act,  and  shall  distribute  the  same  to  the  county  clerks  ot  the 
several  counties  of  this  state,  who  shall  distribute  the  same  throughout  their 
respective  counties. 

The  rules  were  suspended,  the  bill  was  read  a  first  time  and  ordered  to  a  sec- 
ond reading. 

On  the  4th  of  April,  Mr.  Heafield,  of  Chicago,  asked  for  a  suspension  ot  the 
rules  of  the  house,  in  order  that  he  might  introduce  a  series  of  resolutions  pro- 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


viding  for  a  special  committee  to  investigate  the  construction  of  the  present 
unfinished  state  house  at  Springfield.  A  majority  of  the  house  voted  for  sus- 
pension, but  as  two-thirds  are  required  to  suspend  the  rules,  the  proposition  failed. 
Subsequently  a  committee,  without  any  power  to  compel  the  attendance  of 
witnesses,  and  with  no  appropriation  to  pay  the  expense  of  their  attendance,  was 
raised  ;  and  this  committee,  thus  hampered,  is  now  conducting  its  investigations. 
Hon.  C.  A.  Roberts,  of  Tazewell  county,  is  chairman.  A  report  has  been  circulated 
that  this  committee  has  closed  its  labors,  and  found  everything  in  the  most  satis- 
factory condition.  The  report  is  not  true. 

Previous  to  the  agitation  of  the  removal  of  the  capital  to  Peoria,  the  senate 
had  passed  a  bill  appropriating  $600,000  for  continuing  the  work  on  the  Spring- 
field structure.  This  was  amended  in  several  particulars,  and  was  passed  to  a 
third  reading  in  the  house,  but  a  vote  on  its  final  passage  was  not  reached  before 
adjournment. 

Mr.  King's  bill  was  brought  up  several  times,  but  as  the  rules  had  to  be 
suspended  for  its  consideration,  a  two-thirds  vote  could  not  be  obtained. 

PROTEST  OF  THE  HOUSE. 

•  • 

On  the  6th  day  of  April,  the  bill  appropriating  $600,000  for  continuing  the 
work  on  the  new  state  house  was  considered,  when  Mr.  King,  of  Jersey,  offered 
an  amendment  submitting  that  question  to  a  vote  of  the  people.  The  amendment 
was  voted  down,  when  the  following  protest  of  the  minority  was  presented  and 
ordered  spread  upon  the  journal  : 

PROTEST. 

We,  the  undersigned,  members  of  the  house  of  representatives  of  the  general 
assembly  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  do  most  respectfully  dissent  from  and  protest 
against  the  action  of  this  house  as  follows,  that  is  to  say  : 

On  Thursday,  the  6th  instant,  the  following  proposed  additional  section  to 
senate  bill  No.  112,  entitled  "A  bill  for  an  act  to  provide  for  the  early  completion 
of  the  new  state  house,"  as  an  amendment  thereto,  was  under  consideration  in  this 
house  as  follows  : 

SEC.  5.  At  a  general  election,  to  be  held  on  Tuesday,  the  7th  day  of  Novem- 
ber, 1871,  a  t  the  usual  places  of  holding  elections  in  this  state  according  to  law, 
the  question  whether  or  not  sections  one,  two,  three  and  four  of  this  act  shall  go 
into  effect,  shall  be  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  people,  and  if  said  sections  are  ap- 
proved by  a  majority  of  the  legal  votes  cast  at  said  election,  then  the  said  sections 
shall  be  in  full  force  and  effect  from  and  after  January  1,  1872;  but  unless  a 
majority  of  the  legal  voters  voting  at  said  election  shall  vote  to  approve  said  sec- 
tions, the  same  shall  not  be  in  force  or  of  any  effect,  and  the  secretary  of  state  is 
hereby  required  to  notify  the  county  clerks  in  this  state  of  such  submission,  and 
said  clerks  shall  cause  notice  of  the  same  to  be  given  in  the  usual  manner,  and  the 
manner  of  voting  shall  be  "  For  the  appropriation  of  $600,000  to  the  new  state 
house,  in  Springfield,"  or  "  against  the  appropriation  of  $600,000  to  the  new  state 
house,  in  Springfield,"  and  the  returns  of  such  votes  for  and  against  this  law, 
shall  be  made  by  the  several  county  clerks  of  this  state  within  thirty  days  after 
said  elections,  and  said  returns  shall,  within  five  days  thereafter,  be  canvassed  by 
the  auditor,  treasurer  and  secretary  of  the  state,  or  any  two  of  them,  in  the  pres- 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


ence  of  the  governor,  and  proclamation  shall  be  forthwith  made  by  the  governor 
of  the  result  of  the  canvass.  . 

And  the  question  being  on  a  motion  to  lay  said  proposed  additional  section 
on  the  table,  it  was  voted  and  decided  that  said  proposed  amendment  he  on  the 
table,  and  said  bill  was  thereupon  ordered  to  a  third  reading  without  said  amend- 
ment being  a  part  thereof. 

The  reasons  for  our  dissent  and  protest  are  as  follows  .  ^ 

1  We  believe  that  the  location  of  the  seat  of  government  at  Springfield  has 
been,  and  still  is,  the  cause  of  great  dissatisfaction  to  a  large  number  of  the  people 
of  the  state,  and  that  the  erection  of  the  new  state  house,  which  has  been  com- 
menced in  Springfield,  will,  if  completed,  fasten  the  location  of  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment at  Springfield  against  the  will  of  the  people.  . 

2  We  believe  that  the  grounds  upon  which  the  new  state  house  is  located 
are  totally  unfit  for  the  site  of  so  important  a  building,  and  that  the  constantly 
increasing  dissatisfaction  of  the  people  therewith  will  ultimate  y  lead  to  the  remo- 
val of  the  seat  of  government  to  some  other  and  more  desirable  locality. 

3  We  believe  that  the  new  state  house,  now  in  process  of  construction,  will 
require  an  expenditure  of  from  six  to  eight  millions  of  dollars  to  finish  and  furnish 
the  same  in  a  style  in  accordance  with  the  original  plan  and  design  of  the  building, 
and,  inasmuch  as  the  constitution  forbids  the  appropriation  of  more  than  W,WHV 
000  without  a  vote  of  the  people,  we  believe  that  a  vote  of  the  people  will  ulti- 
mately be  required  to  authorize  the  necessary  appropriation  to  be  made.     \\ 
therefore  believe  that  before  any  further  appropriations  are  made,  a  vote  ot  i 
people  should  be  taken  whether  the  building  already  commenced  shall 


° 


P6  Ve°believe  that  the  appropriation  of  the  sum  of  $600,000  in  the  manner 
proposed  in  said  bill,  without  consulting  the  people,  will  not  in  any  degree  allay 
thereat  and  increasing  dissatisfaction  which  exists  in  relation  to  the  location  o 
the  MB*  of  government  at  Springfield,  and  the  erection  of  the  new  state  house  on 
the  site  where  it  has  been  commenced,  and  in  our  judgment  the  public  interest 
require  that  said  appropriation  be  withheld  or  submitted  to  the  people  for  approval 

TTwc:  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  city  of  Peoria,  which  is  nearer  the 
center  of  population,  commerce  and  wealth  of  the  state  than  the  city  of  Springfield, 
has  proposed  to  indemnify  the  state  against  loss  in  case  the  seat  of  government  is 
removed  to  that  city,  and  that  a  bill  is  now  pending  to  submit  the  question  of  such 
removal  to  the  people.  We  also  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  a  vote  of  the  people 
has  never  been  taken  in  regard  to  the  location  of  their  state  capital  which,  in  our 
opinion,  ought  to  be  done  before  any  further  appropriations  are  made. 

6.  We  believe  that,  with  the  appropriation  of  $600,000,  the  new  state  house 
cannot  be  far  enough  advanced  toward  completion  to   accommodate  the  genera 
assembly  at  its  next  biennial  session,  and   that  a  vote  of  the  people  can  be 
upon  the  question  of  the  re-location  of  the  seat  of  government  before  the  nnal 
adjournment  of  this  general  assembly,  and  that  no  serious  detriment  can  accrue  to 
the  state  from  the  postponement  of  such  appropriation  until  after  such  vot 
have  been  taken. 

7.  We  therefore,  for  the  reasons  stated,  believe  i£  to  be  our  duty,  as  the  rep- 
resentatives of  the  people,  in  our  own  names,  and  in  the  names  of  those  whom  we 
represent,  to  thus  publicly   protest,  and  we  do  hereby  dissent  from  and  protest 
against  the  action  of  this  house  in  laying  said  amendment  on  the  table,.and  in  that 
manner  refusing  to  submit  the   question  to  the  people  of  this  state,  whether  or 
not  the  appropriation  should  be  made,  and  we  claim  the  right,  under  the  constitu- 
tion, to  have  this,  our  protest,  and  the  reasons  of  our  dissent  from  the  action  oi 
this  house,  entered  upon  its  journals. 

Dated  at  the  hall  of  representatives,  this  7th  day  of  April,  1871. 


3  THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


C.  A.  Roberts,  R.  M.  Pritchard,  J.  L.  Campbell, 

J.  H.  Jones,  Wm.  Massenburg,  R.  H.  Foss, 

T.  M.  Morse,  J.  S.  Lee,  P.  F.  Remsberg. 

A.  M.  Cavan,  Greo.  J.  Richardson,  J.  W.  Heafield, 
M.  Langston,  H.  C.  Senne,  Wm.  McElwee, 
Levi  North,  R.  P.  Derrickson,  John  Morris, 
Miles  A.  Fuller,  John  Humphrey.  E.  M.  Haines, 
Greo.  W.  Herdman,  James  M.  Rice,  A.  S.  Rowley, 
0.  F.  Price,  W.  A.  M.  Crouch.  R.  A.  King, 

S.  F.  Fleharty,  Wm.  Vocke,  Carlisle  Mason, 

Robert  Hunter,  A.  L.  Morrison,  W.  K.  Sullivan, 

J.  W.  Olson,  A.  H.  Burley,  J.  F.  Latimer, 

W.  M.  Whitney,  J.  Rheinhardt,  Anson  L.  Clark. 

B.  Edgcomb,  Greo.  W.  Armstrong,  J.  N.  McElwain. 
S.  T.  Shelton,  L.  Mussetter,  D.  S.  Efner, 
W.  S.  Brooks,  A.  P.  Rowley,  James  Manly, 
S.  S.  Benson,  Nathan  Williams,  John  W.  Ross, 
Wm.  B.  Dodge,  R.  S.  Williamson,  Thomas  J.  Turner. 
Arthur  Dixon,  J.  F.  Latimer,  James  Shaw, 

Ira  B.  Hall,  Samuel  Caldwell,  E.  H.  Johnson, 

J.  Gf.  Phillips,  John  T.  Morgan,  Norman  H.  Ryan, 

S.  P.  Cummings,  Phillip  Collins,  M.  J.  Braiden, 

PEORIA  GIVES   BOND. 

The  good  faith  of  Peoria,  in  making  her  offer,  having  been  questioned,  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-three  of  her  citizens,  representing  some  ten  or  twelve  million 
dollars  worth  of  property,  subscribed  to  the  following  bond  which  was  presented  in 
the  house  on  the  15th  of  April  by  Col.  T.  J.  Turner,  of  Stephenson,  and  ordered 
to  be  filed  in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  state  : 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents  :  That  we  who  have  signed  our  names  hereto- 
being  citizens  of  the  city  and  county  of  Peoria,  and  state  of  Illinois,  are  held  and 
firmly  bound  unto  the  people  of  the  state  of  Illinois  in  the  sum  of  eight  hundred 
and  five  thousand  dollars  and  eight  cents,  lawful  money  of  the  United  States,  for 
the  payment  of  which,  well  and  truly  to  be  made,  we  bind  ourselves,  and  each  of 
us  himself,  and  each  of  our  heirs,  executors,  administrators  and  assigns  firmly  by 
these  presents. 

Dated  this  llth  day  of  April,  A.  D.,  1871. 

The  condition  of  the  above  obligation  is  such  that  in  the  event  that  the  said 
state  of  Illinois  transfers  the  capital  of  said  state  to  the  city  of  Peoria,  in  the 
county  of  Peoria  and  state  of  Illinois,  and  permanently  locates  the  same  in  said 
city,  and  erects  a  state  house  thereat  similar  to  the  one  now  in  process  of  erection 
at  Springfield,  in  said  state,  then  the  undersigned  shall  fully  indemnify  and  remu- 
nerate the  said  people  of  the  state  of  Illinois  from  all  pecuniary  loss  caused  to  said 
people  by  such  removal  and  location  of  the  capital  and  erection  of  state  house  as 
aforesaid,  and  shall  also  furnish,  provide  and  convey  to  the  said  people  of  the  state 
of  Illinois,  free  of  cost,  a  suitable  site  for  said  capitol,  in  said  city  of  Peoria,  in 
quantity  not  less  than  ten  acres,  and  such  as  shall  be  acceptable  to  the  legislature 
of  said  state,  then  this  bond  to  be  null  and  void  and  of  ^no  effect,  otherwise  in  full 
force  and  virtue. 

In  witness  whereof,  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands  and  seal,  on  the  day  and 
year  first  above  written. 

[Signed  by  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  names.] 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


PEORIA  COUNTY  ENDOKSES  THE  BOND. 

At  the  April  term  of  the  Peoria  county  Board  of  Supervisors,  the  following 
preamble  and  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted  : 

WHEREAS,  The  question  of  the  removal  of  the  seat  of  government  of  the 
state  of  Illinois  from  Springfield  to  Peoria  is  now  agitating  the  public  mind,  and 

WHEREAS,  The  city  of  Peoria  has  made  such  proposition  to  the  state  as  will 
fully  protect  the  state  against  loss  in  case  such  removal  is  made,  and 

WHEREAS,  About  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  most  wealthy  citizens  of 
Peoria  have  also  given  bonds  to  the  state  to  indemnify  the  state  against  loss  in  case 
such  removal  of  the  capital  is  made,  therefore 

Resolved,  By  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Peoria  county,  that  the  county  of 
Peoria  will  and  hereby  does  guarantee  that  the  said  proposition  of  the  said  city  of 
Peoria  to  the  state  shall  be  faithfully  performed  and  carried  out  by  said  city  of 
Peoria. 

Resolved,  That  in  our  judgment  the  interests  of  the  state  demand  and  require 
that  the  question  of  the  removal  of  the  capital  should  be  at  once  submitted  to  the 
people,  and  that  we,  as  the  representatives  of  the  several  towns  of  Peoria  county, 
do  hereby  protest  against  more  of  the  people's  money  being  expended  on  the  build- 
ing at  Springfield  until  the  question  of  the  location  of  the  capital  has  been  decided 
by  the  people. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  transmitted  by  the  clerk  to  the 
honorable  president  of  the  senate  and  the  honorable  speaker  of  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives, at  Springfield,  at  the  special  session  shortly  to  convene  in  Springfield. 

It  would  seem  from  the  above  that  if  any  reliability  can  be  placed  in  the 
pledges  of  mankind,  no  fears  need  be  entertained  that  Peoria  will  not  in  good  faith 
carry  out  her  agreement.  The  city,  the  county,  and  citizens  worth  twelve  millions 
of  dollars,  have  solemnly  pledged  themselves  to  its  fulfillment. 

LOCALITY  OF  SPRINGFIELD  &  PEOKIA  COMPARED. 

The  following  extract  from  a  speech  of  Hon.  S.  D.  Phelps,  of  Chicago,  de- 
livered on  the  question  of  capital  removal,  strikingly  shows  the  location  of  Peoria 
and  Springfield  with  regard  to  the  balance  of  the  State  : 

"  South  of  an  east  and  west  line  running  through  Springfield,  you  will  dis- 
cover that  there  are  901,558  inhabitants,  and  north  of  that  line  1,658,685  inhab- 
itants, according  to  the  federal  census  for  1870. 

"  You  may  well  look  surprised,  gentlemen,  only  35  per  cent,  of  the  population 
of  the  state  south  of  Springfield,  and  65  per  cent,  north  of  the  place  where  we  are 
now  sitting. 

"  How  about  taxable  property  ?  The  discrepancy  is  even  greater.  According 
to  the  last  equalized  valuation,  we  find  south  of  an  east  and  west  line  running 
through  Springfield,  $144,061,189.00,  and  north  of  Springfield  property  valued  at 
$336,602,869.00,  a  percentage  of  taxable  property  of  30  per  cent,  south,  and  70 
per  cent,  north  of  Springfield.  What  do  these  figures  indicate  ?  What  momen- 
tous warning  do  they  shadow  forth  ? 

"  While  I  am  considering  this  subject  in  view  of  centres  of  population,  wealth 
and  communication,  permit  me  to  submit  a  few  deductions  with  reference  to  Peoria. 

"  The  population  of  the  state  south  of  an  east  and  west  line  running  through 
Peoria,  is  about  1,384,624,  and  north  about  1,165,619,  that  is  54  per  cent,  south 
and  46  per  cent,  north. 

"  The  ratios  of  wealth  are  about  the  same,  though  more  nearly  equal. 

"  You  will,  therefore,  perceive  that  there  is  a  decided  advantage  in  favor  of 
Peoria  over  Springfield  in  regard  to  wealth  and  population.  But  the  discrepancy 


10  THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


between  the  two  cities  in  the  matter  of  communication  by  rail  is  even  greater,  and 
most  decidedly  in  favor  of  Peoria.  By  careful  computation  it  will  be  found  that, 
pursuing  the  ordinary  and  most  advantageous  routes  from  their  respective  places  of 
residences,  the  members  of  the  general  assembly  would  travel  8,000  miles  less  in- 
going to  Peoria  than  they  would  by  going  to  Springfield,  and  save  the  same  num- 
ber of  miles  in  returning,  as  also  no  considerable  sum  to  the  state  in  the  way  of 
mileage." 

THE  FINANCIAL  ABILITY  OF  PEOKIA. 

It  has  been  represented  that  Peoria  is  financially  unable  to  do  what  she  pro- 
poses, that  she  is  so  heavily  burdened  with  debt  that  she  cannot  if  she  would. 
Herewith  is  a  statement  of  the  financial  condition  of  the  city  of  Peoria  as  takeo 
from  the  records  of  the  city  clerk  : 

Total  railroad  and  other  indebtedness  of  Peoria,  (including  school  bonds,) 
January  1,  1871, $1,043,246  SG 

A8AINST    WHICH    THE    CITY    HOLDS  : 

1,000  shares  of  T.  P.  &  W.  R.  R.  stock, $25,000  00 

783  shares  of  P.  &  B.  V.  R.  R.  stock,  drawing  8  per  cent,  interest,    78'300  00 

Bounty  Bonds, 20,000  00 

Water  Bonds, ! 21,000  00 

General   Fund, 4,000  00 

School   Bonds, 19,000  00 

Cash  in  Sinking  Fund, 89,364  86     • 

School  lots  owned  in  city  and  county  of  Peoria,  for  sale,  valued 

at » 72,000  00 

Cash,  School  Fund, 12,000  00 

Other  Personal  Property, 33,000  00 

$373,664  86' 


Net  indebtedness  of  Peoria, $669,582  3O 

To  offset  this  indebtedness  the  city  owns  property  as  follows,  (real   estate 
being  placed  as  assessor's  valuation  only)  : 

City  Water-Works, $435,000  00 

Central  Market, 15,000  00 

City  Hall, 12,000  00 

City   Hospital, 9,000  00 

Block  85  Morton  Square, 15,000  00 

Central  Hose  House, 2,000  00 

Engine  House,  No.  3, 2,000  00 

Lot  12,  block  64,  Morton,  Voris  &  Lavielle's  addition, 310  00 

Second  District,  lots  7,  8  and  9,  block  47,  occupied  by  school 50,000  00 

High  School  and  Lot, _ _  20,000  00 

Third  District, 12,000  00 

Fourth  District, 12,000  00 

Fifth   District, 11,000  00 

Sixth  District, 14,000  00 

Lots  2  and  3,  block  1,  Bradley's  2d  Addition, 5,000  00 

Seventh  District, 2,000  00 

Lots  in  Frye's  Addition, 1,500  00 

All  the  above  described  property  is  pledged  by  ordinance  for  the  payment  of 
the  bonded  debt  of  the  city.  The  bounty,  water  and  other  bonds  held  by  the 
city,  form  a  portion  of  a  sinking  fund  set  apart  for  the  extinction  of  the  principal 
of  the  city's  debt. 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


VALUATION  OF  PEORIA. 

The  following  is  the  valuation  of  Peoria  city  (not  including  Township),  a& 
returned  by  the  assessors,  April,  1871  : 

UPPER    DISTRICT   ASSESSMENT. 

Real  Estate,  ___________________________________  $5,780,570  00 

Personal  Property,  ___  .  __________________  L  _____    1,967,145  00     $7,747,715  OO 


LOWER    DISTRICT   ASSESSMENT. 

Real  Estate, $4652,040  00 

Personal  Property, 113,275  00     $5,365,315  OO 


Total, $13,113,030  OO 

i 

PEORIA  AND  SPRINGFIELD  COMPARED. 

From  a  tabular  statement  published  March  1,  1871,  by  Elwood  of  Joliet,  giv- 
ing the  comparative  taxation  of  cities  in  Illinois,  the  following  is  extracted : 

Annual  interest  paid  by  Springfield $100,000  00 

Annual  interest  paid  by  Peoria 80,815  00 

Difference  in  favor  of  Peoria $  19,185  00 

Tax  per  capita  Springfield 12  97 

"          «        Peoria 7  77 

Average  tax  on  $100,  Springfield .021 

"        "         "        Peoria .013 

The  cost  of  building  at  Peoria  is  at  least  fifteen  per  cent,  cheaper  than 
Springfield.  The  comparative  cost  of  some  of  the  main  articles  used  in  building 
may  be  stated  as  follows  : 

Springfield.  Peoria. 

Brick,  per  M ^^. $  8.85  $6.00 

Sand,  per   load _ _._. 1.25  16 

Pine  lumber,  per  M 22.00  19.00 

Coal,  per   bu 12  6 

It  may  be  safely  said  that  at  least  $250,000  can  be  saved  by  erecting  the  new 
eapitol  at  Peoria.  Peoria  has  an  unlimited  supply  of  pure  water  from  the  most 
efficient  water-works  in  the  west. 

At  the  public  meeting  in  Peoria  on  the  llth  of  March,  Mr.  Valentine  Jobstr 
architect,  of  Peoria,  submitted  the  following  rough  estimate  of  the  amount  that 
eould  have  been  saved  on  the  new  state  house  by  building  it  at  Peoria,  over  the 
cost  of  the  structure  at  Springfield.  It  is  due  to  Mr.  Jobst  to  say  that  this  esti- 
mate was  hastily  made,  and  might  possibly  need  some  revision.  The  quotation 
below  is  from  the  press  report  of  the  meeting : 

"  Mr.  Valentine  Jobst  followed  Major  Wells,  making  a  practical  speech.  He- 
presented  an  estimate  of  the  amount  that  might  be  saved  by  removing  the  eapitol 
here,  owing  to  the  difference  in  material  in  favor  of  Peoria.  He  estimated  the 
brick  required  at  19,541,660.  These  cost  $8.85  per  thousand  in  Springfield,  while- 
they  could  be  procured  for  $6.00  per  thousand  in  this  city.  The  following  exhibit, 
was  read  by  him,  as  his  estimate  of  the  amount  that  could  be  saved  the  state  by. 
building  here  : 

Saving  on  brick $  48,966  78 

Sand  for  brick  at  Springfield,  per  cubic  yard,  $1.50  ;  the  same  at 

Peoria  for  25  cents  ;   saved 1,300  00 

Water  free  at  Peoria  ;  saved 2,800  00 


12  THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 

Sand  for  plastering  ;  saved . 1,500  00 

Freight  on  cut  stone  to  Springfield  22  cents  ;   to  Peoria  10  cents 

per  cubic  foot ;  saved 48,000  00 

For  general  freight,  less  to  Peoria 30,000  00 

Ten  percent,  of  cost  of  building 100,000  00 


In  favor  of  Peoria $232,766  73 

HOW   THE  PKESENT   STATE   HOUSE   AT   SPKING- 
FIELD   IS  BEING  BUILT. 

The  following  extract  from  the  speech  of  Hon.  R.  A.  King,  of  Jersey  county, 
on  his  amendment  submitting  the  State  House  appropriation  to  a  vote  of  the 
people,  throws  light  on  the  way  the  money  of  the  people  is  being  expended  on  the 
Springfield  structure.  Every  tax-payer  in  the  state  should  carefully  peruse  the 
same: 

'•  MR.  SPEAKER  —  In  discussing  this  question  I  wish  to  be  brief.  As  the 
mover  of  the  amendment  to  submit  it  to  the  people,  I  feel  it  was  offered  in  sincer- 
ity and  good  faith,  and  propose  now  to  show  the  facts  that  justify  me  in  this 
course ;  these,  with  the  figures,  I  find  to  my  hand  in  the  reports  by  officers  of  this 
assembly.  To  bring  out  the  facts  and  show  why  this  appropriation  should  not  be 
made,  I  must  use  the  records  of  the  state  house  commissioners. 

"  The  money  thus  far  appropriated  to  this  purpose,  has  in  part  been  improp- 
erly expended. 

(;  Sir.  I  wish  to  show  by  the  report  of  our  own  house  committee  that  of  the 
sum  of  $805,000  only  $465,000  have  gone  into  the  building.  The  remaining 
-$339,000  have  gone  elsewhere.  I  shall  show  from  the  same  source  where  and  in 
what  way  that  $339,000  have  been  expended.  Now  I  do  not  propose  to  say  that 
anybody  has  stolen  anything. 

il  The  report  shows  the  amount  improperly  expended  to  November,  1868,  was 
$329,329.42.  It  shows  also  the  amount  expended  in  the  building  in  November, 
'68,  to  November,  '69,  was  $197,330-23,  and  it  shows  the  amount  expended  from 
November  30th,  1869,  to  November,  1870,  was  $278,543.43.  The  total,  then, 
-expended  up  to  November,  1870,  was  $805,203.08.  Now,  sir,  as  to  the  applica- 
tion of  this  money,  the  report  shows  that  $465,686.67  had  been  expended  upon  the 
foundation.  Gentlemen  may  claim  that  we  have  more  than  the  mere  foundation, 
but  in  my  view  we  have  not.  What  we  have  is  merely  the  basement  of  the  capi- 
tol,  and  of  that,  sir,  simply  the  bare  walls.  Inside  not  a  particle  has  been 
expended,  nothing  is  done  but  the  mere  stone  and  brick  work  of  the  foundation  of 
the  capitol,  for  which  already  $805,000  are  expended,  of  which  sum,  sir,  but  $465,- 
€00  has  gone  into  the  building,  the  balance  having  trickled  out.  $24,395  have 
gone  to  the  commissioners  in  items  as  follows : 

PaidW.  T.  Vandever $2,235  00 

Philip  Wadsworth 2,240  00 

W.  L.  Hambleton 2,305  00 

J.  W.  Smith 2,395  00 

J.    C.  Robinson 5,135  00 

Jacob  Bunn 4,99500 

J.  H.  Beveridge 5,090  00 

Total  commissioners'  pay $24,395  00 

In  '67,  the  law  was  passed  appointing  first  seven  commissioners  with  power  to 
•employ  such  mechanics,  laborers,  &c.,  as  should  be  necessary,  those  commission- 
ers to  receive  for  their  services  the  sum  of  $5  per  day  for  the  time  of  actual  ser- 
vice. The  number  of  commissioners  has  since  been  reduced,  but  the  terms  of 
compensation  remain  the  same.  If  you  look  at  the  items  closely  you  will  see  that 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


13 


they  have  received  $5  a  day  for  every  month  during  the  whole  time,  (seven  com- 
missioners, afterwards  the  three,)  $130  a  month  during  the  whole  time  of  their 
appointment.  I  say,  sir,  that  it  is  too  much.  I  say  $24,395  is  too  heavy  a  per- 
centage of  expenditure  upon  $805,000  of  the  people's  money  merely  for  the  ser- 
vice of  commissioners.  These  commissioners  wasted  money  on  the  architect,  giving 
him  a  $3,000  premium  and  then  awarding  him  a  contract  for  erecting  the  building 
at  2J  per  cent,  commission  upon  the  sum  of  $3,000,000  to  be  expended. 
Then,  sir,  here  are  other  items  of  leakage  in  the  capitol  fund  : 

Paid  J.  C.  Webber,  secretary   commissioners $3,14000 

W.  D.  Clark,  assistant  superintendent 8,538  45 

Willie  Clark,  rodman 1,493  00 

David  Doe,  porter 2,050  50 

Alexander  Fender 1,252  70 


Charles  Brodie,  at  Joliet. 

A.  R.  Robinson,  sand  receiver. 

R.  M.  Robinson     "  «' 

0.  Marble,  surveyor ._. 

man  in  lime   house... 


588  00 
172  50 
150  00 
200  00 
50  00 
J.  H.  Beveridge,  secretary  of  board 2,665  00 

Total  paid  for   salaries $20,100  15 

"By  their  report,  $71,000  have  gone  in  three  years  in  three  items  of  percent- 
age upon  the  $805,000.  You  will  readily  see  how  only  $465,000  have  gone  into 
the  building,  and  $369,000  elsewhere. 

"  Now,  sir,  being  anxious  to  sift  the  thing,  I  took  a  pencil  and  reckoned  on 
each  page  the  number  of  items  which  actually  went  into  the  building  of  the  state 
house,  and  then  the  items  that  went  elsewhere,  setting  the  sums  at  the  bottom  of 
the  page.  On  the  first  page  forty-eight  items  went  in  different  ways,  as  here 
reported,  and  four  only  into  the  state  house.  That  looks  as  if  there  was  something 
wrong.  For  example,  here  is  J.  C.  Cochrane,  first  item,  $3,000  to  the  architect 
as  a  premium  for  a  plan.  That  didn't  go  into  the  state  house.  Then,  sir,  here  are 
various  other  items,  as  follows :  I  will  show  you  the  first  page  of  their  own  report 
entire,  as  a  specimen  : 

Statement  of  Expenditures  made  by  the  Board  of  State  House  Commissioners, 
from  March  I3th,  1867,  to  November  30<A,  1868. 

Oct.  1867— J.  C.  Cochrane,  premium  for  design, $3,000  00 

W.  T.  Vandeveer,  per  diem  as  Commissioner 105  00 

J.  C.  Robinson,             "                        "            —  498  16 

J.  W.  Smith,                 «                        "            521  31 

Journal  Company,  advertising _ 134  95 

P.  W.  Harts,  stationery, 

J.  C.  Webber,  services  as  secretary, __ 345  00 

J.  H.  Beveridge,  per  diem  as  commissioner 215  10 

H.  Lieb  &  Co.,  advertising 23  00 

W.  L.  Hambleton,  per  diem  as  commissioner 379  00 

J.  Bunn,  advertising,  paid  secretary,  etc 1,295  20 

B.  L.  Merritt  &  Bro.,  advertising 

Johnson  &  Bradford,  letter  press 16  30 

Jan.  1868 — J.  W.  Smith,  per  diem  as  commissioner 426  25 

J.C.Robinson,                                                               39000 

J.  H.  Beveridge,                                                              42160 

Phillip  Wadsworth,                                                       49500 

W.  L.  Hambleton,                                                          428  00 

W.  T.  Vandeveer,                                                           420  0( 

J.  C.  Cochrane,  traveling  expenses 

J.  C.  Webber,  services  as  secretary 695  00 

Journal  Company,  advertising 65  00 

Fitzhugh  &  Bugg,  labor  and  materials 

E.  L.  Merritt  &  Bro.,  advertising 35  50 

Illinois  Staats  Zeitung,      "         15600 

Chicago  Times,                   "         210  00 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


C.  L.  Wilson  4  Co.,  «          __________________________  159  26 

Chicago  Tribune  Co.,         "          ---------------------  262  50 

Chicago  Republican,  "          __________________________  126  00 

March—  W.  H.  &  R.  P.  Officer,  lumber  _____________________  310  06 

W.  L.  Hambleton,  per  diem  as  commissioner  -----------  __  ____  315  00 


J.  C.  Robinson, 
J.  W.  Smith, 
J.  H.  Beveridge, 
Phillip  Wads-worth, 
W.  T.  Vandeveer, 


315  00 
315  00 
815  00 
315  00 
315  00 


J.  C.  Webber,  services  as  secretary — 353  00 

J.  C.  Cochraae,  services  aa  architect 2,000  00 

W.  D.  Clark,  services  as  assistant  architect 638  45 

do          office  furniture . .  -.              50  06 

Palmer  &  Hay,  legal  services 1,250  00 

C.  Beckwith,             "             2,60000 

Stuart,  Edwards  A  Brown,  legal  services _ 1,250  00 

C.  H.  Flawer,  office  furniture 38  75 

N.  A.  Garland  and  others,  sand 3,221  37 

E.  L.  Merritt  &  Bro.,  advertising 22  50 

Journal  Company,            " _.^_.. 36  00 

J.  A.  Hough,  office  furniture 51  00 

E.  Kreigh,  stove  pipe 34  05 

J.  J.  &  W.  H.  Mitchell,  concrete 8,847  45 

Chicago  Republican,  advertising 96  00 

J.  M.  W.  Jones,  stationery 43  50 

"  None  of  the  above  items  have  gone  into  the  capital,  except  four. 

"  Take  the  next  page,  March,  1868,  thirty-four  items  on  that  went  into  the 
state  house  in  the  way  of  stone  and  other  material,  and  twenty-seven  items  went 
as  reported.  This,  sir,  is  the  only  page  where  you  will  find  the  balance  of  items 
in  favor  of  the  building.  Here,  on  another  page,  are  twenty-six  items  for  the  state 
house  and  thirty-seven  somewhere  else,  and  so  on. 

"  Here  in  the  year  commencing  January,  1870,  on  that  page  you  will  find  all  but 
three  items  going  elsewhere.     As  this  page  is  of  later  date  and  still  more  curious 
in  the  character  of  its  items,  I  show  you  this  also  entire.     Please  notice  the  regular 
recurrence  of  the  commissioners'  per  diem,  like  the  refrain  of  the  old  song, 
"  We  won't  go  home  till  morning." 

A  Statement  of  the  Expenditures  for  the  current  year,  ending  November  30, 1870. 

Jan.  3,  '70— Jacob  Bunn,  per  diem $  135  00 

J.  C.  Robinson,  per  diem . 135  00 

J.  H.  Beveridge,  per  diem 135  00 

W.  D.  Clark,  services  as  assistant  superintendent 250  00 

David  Doe,  services  as  porter 67  50 

J.  H.  Beveridge,  services  as  Secretary 135  00 

Richards  &  Weber,  printing  specifications,  etc 14  50 

Feb.  2 — Jacob  Bunn,  per  diem 130  00 

J.  C.  Robinson,  per  diem 130  00 

J.  H.  Beveridge,  per  diem 130  00 

do              per  diem  as  secretary 130  00 

W.  D.  Clark,  per  diem  as  assistant  superintendent 250  00 

David  Doe,  per  diem  as  porter 65  00 

Chicago  Republican  Co.,  advertising  notice 216  75 

Chicago  Evening  Post,             "                "     20205 

J.  A.  Hough,  matting,  etc.,  for  office 63  55 

Journal  Company,  advertising  notice,  printing,  etc 94  00 

Illinois  Slate  Register,             "                    "               52  50 

J.  H.  Beveridge,  office  ex.,  ex.  charges,  etc 36  40 

March  1 — Jacob  Bunn,  per  diem 120  00 

J.  C.  Robinson,  per  diem 120  00 

J.  H.  Beveridge,  per  diem 120  00 

services  as  secretary 120  00 

W.  D.  Clark,  services  aa  assistant  superintendent _._ 250  00 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL.  15 

David  Doe,  services  as  porter 60  00 

I.  H.  Voorhis,  pho.  iron  beams — specimens ____. — . 66  40 

3.  H.  Beveridge,  ex.  charges  and  office  expenses.- ___ . 14  61 

April  6— Jacob  Bunn,  per  diem J_. 135  00 

J.  C.  Robinson,  per  diem_ 135  00 

J.  H.  Beveridge,  per  diem 135  00 

"  services  as  secretary . ..  13500 

W.  D.  Clark,  services  as  assistant  superintendent 250  00 

David  Doe,  services  as  porter  -  - . .  67  50 

P.  W.  Harts,  stationery 26  25 

Newton  Bateman,  office  rent____ . 150  00 

Charles  Fisher,  drafting  board,  etc.,  for  office 39  46 

Gehlman  &  Tainter,  drawers  for  plans 115  62 

J.  H.  Beveridge,  traveling  and  office  expenses .  34  72 

A.  J.  Babcock,  plumbing  in  office MmiJ. -.--„-,  75  18 

May  2 — Jacob  Bunn,  per  diem 130  00 

J.  C.  Robinson,  per  diem 130  00 

J.  H.  Beveridge  per  diem 130  00 

W.  D.  Clark,  services  as  assistant  superintendent 250  00 

David  Doe,  services  as  porter 65  00 

J.  H.  Beveridge,  services  as  secretary 130  00 

Gehlman  &  Tainter,  repairs  in  office 5  73 

Cochrane  &  Piquenard,  commission,  etc 2,000  00 

R.  W.  McLaughry  &  Co.,  Market  Street  R.R 500  00 

do  circular  R.  R.  track ,  50000 

Geo.  W.  Perkins,  stone,  etc 17,526  82 

June  3 — Jacob  Bunn,  per  diem 130,  00 

J.  C.  Robinson,  per  diem . _.___ .__.._»_ 130  00 

J.  H.  Beveridge,  per  diem _„ 130  00 

"  Turn  over  again,  you  find  thirteen  items  for  the  state  house  and  forty-two 
items  elsewhere.  On  another  page  twenty-six  items  outside  and  but  seventeen  into 
the  building. 

"  Such,  sir,  is  my  argument.  I  reason  from  such  premises,  and  my  theory  is 
wrong  only  if  my  figures  are  incorrect. 

"  I  now  show  what  the  commissioners  have  expended  in  lawyers'  fees,  as 

n   ii  *  * 

follows : 

LEGAL   EXPENSES. 

Palmer  &  Hay u $1,250  00 

C.  Beckwith 2,50000 

Stuart  &  Edwards „ 1,250  00 

"  Making  $5,000  paid  out  in  three  years  for  attorneys'  fees. 

"  I  don't  know  that  the  state  house  had  had  any  litigation.  The  lawyers  in 
Springfield  must  be  getting  higher  fees  than  in  other  parts  of  the  country.  I  do 
not  believe  there  were  any  questions  to  litigate  to  call  for  all  this  array  of  legal 
talent,  Palmer  and  Hay  and  Beckwith  and  Stuart.  Edwards  &  Co.,  at  an  expense 
of  $5000. 

"  Now,  Mr.  Speaker,  the  report  shows  that  $71,000  have  been  expended  im- 
properly in  four  items  only  of  the  committee's  report,  and  summing  up  that  report 
and  the  report  of  the  commissioners  to  the  governor,  it  appears  that  $369,000  of 
the  whole  $805,000,  has  gone  in  various  directions  outside  of  the  actual  building 

"  The  commissioners  have  given  Mr.  Cochrane,  the  architect,  or  his  partner, 
a  house  to  live  in  at  the  expense  of  the  state  which  would  rent  from  $400  to  $500 
a  year,  and  have  paid  all  the  architect's  traveling  expenses.  They  have  also  furn- 
ished offices  in  the  city,  and  are  doing  it  still.  And  I  say  that  if  these  architects 
are  to  get  2  J  per  cent,  commission  they  ought  to  be  satisfied  without  being  pamp- 
ered with  any  more  of  my  people's  money  and  your  people's  money — the  money  of 
the  people  of  the  State. 

"  The  first  estimate  given  of  the  state  house  amounted  to  only  $2,557,000 
That  included  everything,  and  upon  that  basis  first  the  architects  were  content 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


with  2$  per  centage.  Here,  sir,  is  the  contract  entered  into  by  the  commission- 
ers. You  will  find  it  on  page  35  of  the  reports. 

[  Here  Mr.  King  read  several  extracts  from  the  contract.] 

"  Now,  sir,  as  to  Mr.  Cochrane  ;  by  the  contract  he  is  under  the  direction  and 
control  of  the  commissioners  to  take  a  general  superintendence  of  the  work,  giving 
it  all  necessary  personal  attention  until  its  completion.  Now  of  course  if  that 
was  carried  out,  he  ought  to  have  relieved  these  commissioners  of  a  great  deal  of 
duty.  But  I  understand  he  didn't  come  here  more  than  once  in  two  or  three 
months,  but  that  his  partner  took  his  place. 

"  Well,  the  commissioners  have  provided  in  the  contract,  giving  him  authority, 
in  his  absence  to  appoint  a  substitute.  What  was  that  for  ?  Is  that  another  ap- 
pendage of  expense  ?  If  we  are  to  pay  commissioners  $5.00  a  day  for  three  years, 
I  say  let  them  superintend  the  work  themselves.  If  they  can't  do  it,  then  they 
ought  to  appoint  some  one  to  take  their  places. 

"  I  have  assigned  some  reasons  why  I  cannot  vote  for  this  further  capitol  ap- 
propriation. I  might  give  a  great  many  others,  but  I  crave  your  indulgence  only 
a  little  longer. 

"  If  gentlemen  will  take  the  pains  to  look  at  this  book  of  reports  to  the  gen- 
eral assembly,  page  49,  they  will  find  that  this  architect,  Cochrane,  made  an  orig- 
inal estimate  of  the  entire  cost  of  the  capitol  at  only  $2,537,408,  and  he  also,  in 
that  estimate,  said  to  these  commissioners  that  upon  that  estimate  he  could  accept 
of  a  percentage  of  2£.  In  addition  to  this  they  give  him  a  premium  of  $3,000 
for  a  plan.  Now  the  estimate  is  to  be  overrun,  yet  the  percentage  remains  the 
same.  This  looks  like  mismanagement  somewhere. 

"  The  expense  of  the  foundation  amounts  to  $465,686.67.  Is  it  likely  that  an 
estimate  of  even  $3,000,000  will  not  be  overrun  ? 

"  In  the  last  report  of  the  architect  we  are  told  that  the  iron  piers  for  the 
basement  floor  have  been  dispensed  with,  and  brick  piers  and  arches  substi- 
tuted, though  as  is  stated,  without  additional  cost.  I  suppose  the  commis- 
sioners allowed  this.  But,  gentlemen,  the  result  of  taking  out  the  iron  piers  and 
putting  in  the  brick  was  this  —  wherever  there  was  a  column  of  brick,  the  whole 
space  to  the  next  column  is  reckoned  in  together  as  solid  work.  This,  sir,  would 
amount  to  no  less  than  $8,000  or  $9,000  additional. 

"  It  is  difficult,  sir,  to  make  a  good  argument  from  a  mass  of  figures  without 
arrangement,  as  I  have  them  here.  I  have  given  you,  as  well  as  I  could,  the  facts 
from  which  I  draw  my  conclusions. 

"  My  figures  say  that  much  of  the  money  has  been  improperly  expended  — 
so  much  of  it  that  the  public  interest  imperatively  calls  for  an  investigation. 

"  Now,  gentlemen,  but  a  few  words  in  reference  to  the  capital  removal.  I  am 
in  favor  of  that  measure,  it  is  true.  I  have  looked  at  it  in  this  way.  The  people, 
I  contend  have  never  been  satisfied  with  the  location  of  their  capital  at  Springfield. 
There  are  many  people  in  this  state,  whether  mistaken  or  not,  who  think  that  the 
location  here  has  been  made  by  some  improper  influence.  Whether  that  be  true 
or  not  they  believe  it. 

;{  Now,  sir,  Peoria  does,  in  my  opinion,  present  advantages  far  superior  to 
Springfield  or  any  other  city  in  the  state  for  the  location  of  the  capital.  She  has 
in  the  first  place,  as  many  members  of  this  house  can  testify,  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  sites  possible  to  offer.  In  the  next  place,  she  proposes  to  give  us  twenty 
acres  to  take  the  place  of  the  seven  or  eight  acres  furnished  here.  In  the  next 
place  she  offers  to  give  back  all  the  money  thus  far  expended  upon  the  capitol  and 
put  the  state  upon  the  same  footing  again  precisely  as  at  the  beginning  of  this 
enterprise. 

"  It  has  been  urged  that  Peoria  has  made  overtures  for  this  capitol.  In  my 
opinion  Peoria  never  opened  her  mouth  about  the  capitol  till  representatives  began 
to  look  for  a  remedy  against  the  enormous  prospect  of  expenditure.  When  Peoria 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


saw  dissatisfaction  throughout  the  legislature,  then  for  the  first  time  she  came  in 
with  an  offer  of  relief.  Legislators,  sir,  are  not  easily  dissatisfied,  and  their  dissat- 
isfaction was  a  significant  occasion  for  removal.  Is  there  anything  wrong  about  it  ? 
What  city  has  made  a  more  public  spirited  offer  ?  Neither  Springfield,  Chicago, 
nor  any  other  place  has  done  more  for  the  benefit  of  the  people." 

SHALL  THE  PEOPLE  BE  CONSULTED? 

All  that  the  advocates  of  capital  removal  have  demanded,  and  all  that  they 
now  demand,  is  that  the  question  shall  be  referred  to  the  people  of  the  state  for 
their  decision.  The  people  have  never  yet  been  consulted  on  the  question.  The 
state  capital  has  heretofore  been  located  without  any  immediate  reference  of  the 
matter  to  them.  Now,  a  state  house  involving  the  expenditure  of  millions  of 
dollars  for  its  construction  has  been  commenced  and  the  work  has  been  so  loosely 
and  recklessly  carried  on,  that  the  late  Constitutional  Convention  felt  impelled, 
from  a  sense  of  duty  to  the  people,  to  place  a  limit  on  the  amount  to  be  expended 
upon  it. 

The  first  estimate  for  this  structure  was  about  two  and  three-fourths  million 
dollars,  and  this,  too,  for  the  building  as  originallv  designed.  Subsequently  the 
estimate  was  raised  to  $3,000,000,  and  the  original  design  somewhat  curtailed. 
As  the  work  went  on  it  became  evident  that  three  millions  would  not  do,  and  the 
constitutional  convention  fixed  the  limit  for  the  building  and  furniture  at  three 
and  a  half  millions,  and  said,  "  thus  far  shalt  thou  go  and  no  farther."  It  is  now 
pretty  generally  believed  that,  the  way  the  thing  is  progressing,  three  and  a  half 
millions  will  not  suffice.  And  this,  too,  after  the  building  is  being  greatly  shorn 
of  its  originally  designed  proportions. 

Removed  to  Peoria,  the  state  house  can  be  erected  for  less  than  the  constitu- 
tional limit,  and  as  originally  designed.  From  twenty  to  twenty-five  acres  of 
ground  can  be  found  on  which  to  place  it  without  any  cost  to  the  state,  forming 
one  of  the  most  magnificent  sites  in  the  whole  country.  The  state  can  suffer  no 
pecuniary  loss  in  removal.  Shall  not  the  people  therefore  be  consulted  ? 

Shall  not  the  bill  submitted  by  Hon.  R.  A.  King,  of  Jersey  county,  or  one 
similar  in  character,  be  passed  by  the  legislature  ? 

Shall  not  further  appropriation  for  the  Springfield  structure  be  deferred,  until 
the  people  can  be  heard  from  on  the  question  of  removal  ? 

A  thundering  majority  of  voices  come  up  from  all  parts  of  the  state,  crying, 
YES. 

OPINIONS  OF  THE  PRESS  AND  THE  PEOPLE. 

The  following  are  brief  extracts  from  the  many  spontaneous  expressions  of  the 
press  and  the  people  in  various  quarters  of  the  state.  A  full  report  of  them  would 
fill  a  volumn  : 


BUREAU    COUNTY. 

[From  the  Princeton  Republican.] 
We  trust  our  senators  and  representa- 
tives will  vote  persistently  against  all  pro- 
posed expenditure  of  public  money  in 
Springfield,  and  in  favor  of  the  removal  of 
the  capital  to  Peoria. 


VERMIL.L.IOX    COUNTY. 

[From  the  Danvillo  Commercial.] 
We  have  no  particular  ill-will  at  Spring- 
field, but  we  would  be  pleased  to  see  the 
capital  at  Peoria,  and  if  it  is  ever  left  to  a 
vote  of  the  people  of  the  state,  it  will  go 
there. 


18 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


COOK  COUNTY. 

[From  the  Chicago  Times.] 

There  is  but  one  city  in  the  state  of  Illi- 
nois which  presents  all  the  advantages 
which  the  people  generally  could  desire  for 
their  seat  of  government,  and  that  city  is 
Peoria.  No  inducement  that  any  other 
place  could  offer  should  prevent  the  per- 
manent establishment  of  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment in  that  city. 

[From  the  Chicago  Tribune.] 

The  Springfield  Register  assails  with  vi- 
tuperative epithets  the  legislature  because 
its  members  accepted  an  invitation  to  visit 
Peoria  the  other  day. 

The  Register  surely  cannot  object  to  a  bill 
which  shall  submit  to  the  people  of  the 
state  the  question  whether  the  capital  shall 
remain  at  Springfield  or  be  moved  to  Peoria. 
Its  confidence  in  democratic  principles,  and 
in  the  virtue  and  intelligence  of  the  masses, 
must  be  sufficiently  strong  to  insure  its  ac- 
quiescence in  so  fair  and  honest  a  measure 
as  that. 

[From  the  Chicago  Joureal.j 

It  is  high  time  that  the  question  of  a  re- 
moval of  the  state  capital  from  Springfield 
should  be  seriously  considered  by  the  peo- 
ple of  the  state  at  large.  The  issue  is  be- 
ing strongly  forced  upon  the  people,whether 
Springfield  shall  rule  the  state,  and  whether 
the  entire  state  shall  be  placed  under  con- 
tinual and  everlasting  contribution  for  the 
especial  benefit  of  that  city  and  its  self- 
seekers.  We  think  that  the  time  has 
arrived  when  the  question  of  removal  of  the 
capital  should  at  least  be  submitted  to  a 
vote  of  the  people  of  the  whole  state. 

[From  the  Chicago  Legal  Adviser.] 
On  the  whole,  the  subject  is  of  that  importance  to 
the  people  of  the  state,  and  to  generations  to  come, 
that  it  should  be  carefully  considered  by  both  the 
people  and  their  representatives,  and  whatever  ac- 
tion is  taken,  it  should  be  with  a  view  to  the  future 
interests  of  the  people  of  the  whole  state.  The 
matter  having  now  attracted  so  much  attention, 
it  is  doubtful  if  it  can  be  satisfactorily  settled 
without  submission  to  a  vote  of  the  people. 

ROCK    ISLAND. 

[From  the  Rock  Island  Union.] 
It  is  confidently  hoped  that  they  (the  leg- 
islature) will,  at  an  early  day,  take  occasion 
to  accept  this  liberal  offer,  which,  in  brief, 
includes  the  donation  of  ten  acres  of  land, 
worth  about  $20,000  ;  the  reimbursement  to 
the  state  of  what  has  been  spent  on  the 
new  capital  at  Springfield  ;  and  the  fur- 
nishing of  buildings,  free  of  cost,  for  five 
years,  suitable  for  the  sessions  of  the  legis- 
lature and  the  different  executive  offices. 
No  more  liberal  offer  was  ever  made,  and 
when  the  advantages  of  location  over 
Springfield,  or  indeed  any  point  in  the  state, 
are  considered,  it  is  not  easy  to  see  how 
any  member  can  do  otherwise  than  decide 
in  favor  of  the  change. 


TA/KAVELL COUNTY. 

Preamble  and  resolutions  unanimously 
adopted  by  the  board  of  supervisors  of 
Tazewell  county,  Saturday,  May  6th  : 

WHEREAS,  The  seat  of  government  of  the 
state  should  be  permanently  located  at  a 
point  near  the  centre  of  the  population, 
commerce  and  wealth,  and  where  the  local- 
ity contains  all  the  advantages  necessary 
for  the  erection  of  such  public  buildings  as 
will  be  commensurate  with  the  growing 
interests  of  our  state,  and  will  reflect  credit 
and  honor  upon  our  people  ;  and 

WHEREAS,  Peoria  contains  all  the  advan- 
tages in  a  much  greater  degree  than  any 
point  in  the  state,  and  has  made  such  prop- 
ositions, and  given  such  security  for  their 
fulfillment  as  will  insure  the  erection  of  a 
new  state  bouse,  on  the  most  eligible  local- 
ity in  the  state,  without  any  increase  in  the 
cost  over  what  will  be  required  for  the 
erection  of  the  one  now  in  process  of  con- 
struction in  a  place  totally  unfit  for  such  a 
structure ;  and 

WHEBEAS,  In  view  of  the  general  dissat- 
isfaction in  a  large  portion  of  the  state  over 
the  erection  of  so  costly  a  state  house  in 
^such  a  place  as  the  one  now  being  con- 
'structed  at  Springfield,  it  is  eminently 
proper  that  the  question  of  the  permanent 
location  of  the  seat  of  government  of  the 
state  should  be  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the 
people  j 

Therefore  Resolved,  By  the  board  of  super- 
visors of  Tazewell  county,  that  our  repre- 
sentatives in  the  general  assembly  be 
requested  to  use  all  honorable  means  to 
secure  the  passage  of  a  law  by  the  general 
assembly  of  this  state  submitting  the  ques- 
tion of  the  removal  of  the  seat  of  gevern'- 
ment  of  the  state  from  Springfield  to  Peoria, 
and  that  they  be  requested  to  vote  against 
any  further  appropriations  of  the  people's 
money  for  the  erection  of  a  new  state  house 
until  after  the  question  of  the  removal  of 
the  seat  of  government  shall  have  been 
passed  upon  by  a  vote  of  the  people. 

Resolved,  That  the  clerk  be,  and  he  is 
hereby  directed  to  furnish  to  our  represen- 
tatives in  the  general  assembly  a  copy  of 
these  resolutions,  with  a  request  that  they 
be  presented  to  the  general  assembly  as 
soon  as  the  same  shall  be  in  session. 
WILL  COUNTY. 

The  Joliet  Republican  says  : 

"The  people  of  this  county  will  not  easily 
forget  that  Goodhue  brought  back  with 
him  from  the  constitutional  convention  the 
seeds  of  fatal  disease.  While  alive  he  often 
protested  against  the  villainous  qualities  of 
the  Sangamon  waters.  We  have  often 
heard  it  allged  that  not  a  drop  of  unpoi- 
soned  water  can  be  found  in  any  of  the 
country  covered  by  the  fatal  Sangamon 
swamps. 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


19 


MARSHALL    COUNTY. 

[From  the  Lacon  Statesman.] 
Peoria  is  the  best  point  in  the  state  for 
the  location  of  the  capital,  and  we  have  no 
doubt  that  money  would  be  saved  to  the 
people  of  Illinois  in  future,  by  removing  it 
there,  if  the  state  were  compelled  to  saddle 
the  «ntire  loss  of  the  present  unfinished 
structure. 

[From  the  Lacon  Home  Journal.] 
It  (Peoria)  is  the  business  centre  of  the 
state,  its  railroad  facilities  render  it  easy  of 
access,  it  is  healthful,  abundantly  supplied 
with  water,  its  hotel  accommodatiens  will 
always  be  ample,  its  mercantile  and  manu- 
facturing interests  are  a  sufficient  guarantee 
against  its  becoming  a  state  pauper,  and, 
best  of  all,  its  citizens  will  donate  ample 
grounds  for  public  purposes,  and  reimburse 
the  state  for  its  outlay  at  Springfield. 

Resolution  adopted  at  a  public  meeting 
held  at  Henry,  April  14,  1871 : 

Resolved,  That  we  are  unalterably  opposed 
to  the  further  expenditure  of  money  on  the 
state  house  in  Springfield,  and  that  our 
senators  and  representatives,  Messrs.  Mark 
Bangs,  L.  H.  Kerr,  Joseph  Reinhardt  and  J. 
H.  Jones,  are  respectfully  requested  to  vote 
and  use  all  their  influence  against  any  ap- 
propriation looking  to  that  object. 

[From  the  Wenona  Index.] 

That  Peoria  is  the  natural  spot  for  our 
state  buildings,  no  one  will  deny,  and  her 
many  advantages  are  known  all  over  the 
state. 

We  have  no  doubt  but  Peoria  would  se- 
cure the  capital  if  the  question  was  submit- 
ted to  the  people,  and  there  is  no  good 
reason  why  our  legislature  should  not  vote 
for  it.  This  representative  and  senatorial 
district  would  go  solid  for  Peoria,  and  we 
might  say  the  same  of  all  northern  Illinois. 
That  Peoria  is  the  natural  spot  for  our  state 
buildings,  no  one  will  deny,  and  her  many 
advantages  are  known  all  over  the  state. 
The  only  claim  that  Springfield  can  make 
is  the  foundation  for  the  new  state  house ; 
but  this  objection  is  obviated  by  Peoria's 
liberal  offer.  Let  the  capital  go  to  Peoria 
by  all  means. 

[From  the  Varna  Courier.] 

Any  town  or  city  in  the  state  that  would 
pretend  to  present  as  many  natural  or  arti- 
ficial advantages  for  the  state  capital  as  are 
combined  and  concentrated  in  Peoria  would 
deserve  to  be  treated  with  supreme  ridicule. 
[From  the  Henry  Republican.]', 

The  elements  at  work  indicate  that  a  removal  is  a 
necessity  and  a  surety.*  Peoria  has  everything  ir 
her  favor,  and,  we  think,  a  majority  vote  of  the  state 
were  it  expressed.  Some  eighty-one  newspapers  ot 
the  etate  have  commented  on  the  change,  and  have 
taken  decided  grounds  in  favor  of  the  "Central 
City ; "  and  with  such  a  power  to  back  her  that  city 
win  have  little  to  fear.  This  region  very  generally 
the  removal,  and  were  a  vote  taken  there 


would  not  be  fonnd  probably  a  vote  in  the  negative. 
The  change  is  but  a  matter  of  time,  and  that  time  is 
not  far  off. 

LIVINGSTON  COUNTY. 

Resolutions  passed  at  a  meeting  of  the 
citizens  of  Livingston  county,  held  at  the 
court  house,  April  12,  1871,  Judge  L.  E. 
Payson  chairman  and  Hon.  C.  C.  Strawn 
secretary  : 

Resolved,  By  the  citizens  of  Pontiac,  Liv- 
ingston county,  Illinois,  in  meeting  assem- 
bled, that  in  our  opinion  Springfield  is  not 
and  Peoria  is  a  fit  and  proper  place  for  the 
permanent  location  of  our  state  capital. 

Resolved,  That  we  are  unalterably  op- 
posed to  any  further  appropriation  of 
money  to  carry  on  the  present  building  at 
Springfield,  but  are  in  favor  of  the  legisla- 
ture accepting  the  proposition  made  by  the 
city  of  Peoria,  and  passing  an  act  immedi- 
ately removing  the  state  capital  to  that 
city. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions 
be  transmitted  to  each  of  the  representatives 
from  this  county,  viz  :  Hon.  John  Stillwell 
and  Hon.  James  G.  Strong,  and  also  to 
Hon.  J.  W.  Strevell  and  Hon.  Wm.  Reddick, 
senators  from  this  district,  and  that  they 
and  each  of  them  be  and  are  hereby  re- 
quested to  present  the  same  to  their  re- 
spective houses,  and  that  they  and  each  of 
them  are  requested,  and  the  representatives 
are  instructed  to  vote  against  any  further 
appropriation  of  money  to  carry  onthecap- 
itol  building  at  Springfield,  and  to  vote  in 
favor  of  the  removal  of  the  state  capital  to 
and  for  its  permanent  location  at  Peoria. 
WINNKBAGO  COUNTY. 

Resolutions  adopted  by  a  meeting  of  the 
citizens  of  Rockford,  April  8,  1871  ;  Dun- 
can Furgeson,  chairman ;  A.  E.  Smith, 
secretary : 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  meet- 
ing the  question  of  further  appropriation 
for  the  construction  of  the  state  house  at 
Springfield,  be  deferred  for  the  present  ses- 
sion. 

Resolved,' That  the  question  as  to  whether 
Springfield  shall  be  the  permanent  seat  of 
our  state  government  should  be  submitted 
to  a  vote  of  the  people. 

Resolved,  That  our  representatives  in 
both  branches  of  the  legislature  be  and  are 
hereby  respectfully  requested  to  use  their 
influence  for  the  accomplishment  of  this 
desired  end. 

JERSEY  COUNTY. 
[From  the  Jerseyville  Democrat.] 

But  one  thing  is  certain — the  will  of  the 
people  should  rule,  and  we  see  no  good  ar- 
gument which  can  be  advanced  against 
giving  the  people  of  the  state  a  chance  to 
say  by  ballot  which  place  they  prefer  for  a 
capital. 


20 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


KNOX  COUNTTY. 

The  Galesburg  Republican  says  : 

"That  Peoria  has  many  advantages  for 
the  capital  which  Springfield  does  nob 
possess  must  be  apparent.  She  has  better 
railway  facilities  than  Springfield.  She 
has  a  navigable  river,  with  the  almost  cer- 
tain prospect  of  a  ship  canal  connecting  her 
with  Chicago  and  the  great  lakes.  She 
has  already  a  population  of  twenty-five 
thousand  souls.  She  has  large  manufacto- 
ries and  manufacturing  interests.  Besides 
she  is  centrally  located  and  has  the  advan- 
tage of  being  situated  where  all  the  people 
can  be  accommodated." 

Resolutions  adopted  at  a  public  meeting 
held  in  Galesburg,  March  28,  1871,  Geo.  W. 
Brown  president  ;  Geo.  Ekins,  secretary : 

Resolved,  That  this  meeting  is  decidedly 
in  favor  of  the  removal  of  the  state  capital, 
for  the  following  reasons  :  First,  Peoria  is 
situated  on  a  navigable  river,  and  Spring- 
field is  not.  Secondly,  Peoria  has  greater 
railroad  facilities  than  Springfield.  Thirdly, 
Peoria  has  greater  manufacturing  and  com- 
mercial advantages  than  Springfield. 
Fourthly,  Peoria  is  situated  nearer  to  the 
centre  of  population  in  the  state  than 
Springfield.  Fifthly,  Peoria  presents  nat- 
ural advantages  and  picturesque  beauty  of 
location,  such  as  would  make  the  state 
capital  a  matter  of  pride  to  the  people  of 
the  state,  while  Springfield  possesses  none 
of  these  advantages. 

Resolved,  That  our  senators  and  repre- 
sentatives to  the  legislature  are  requested 
to  use  all  honorable  means  for  the  removal 
of  the  capital  from  Springfield  to  Peoria  ; 
and  that  they  are  also  requested  to  do  all 
in  their  power  to  oppose  and  prevent  any 
further  expenditure  of  money  upon  any 
public  building  or  buildings  at  Springfield. 

Resolution  adopted  at  a  meeting  held  in 
Yates  City : 

Resolved,  By  the  citizens  of  Salem,  Elba 
andTruro  townships,  Knox  county,  Illinois, 
in  meeting  assembled,  that  .in  our  opinion 
Springfield,  in  view  of  its  distance  from  the 
centre  of  population,  its  limited  railroad 
facilities,  its  lack  of  marine  advantages, 
and  entire  destitution  of  public  spirit,  is 
not,  and  that  Peoria,  on  the  contrary,  pos- 
sessing all  these  requisites,  is,  a  proper 
place  for  the  permanent  location  of  the 
state  capital. 

[From  the  Galesburg  Republican.] 

The  very  superior  advantages  presented  by  Peoria 
needed  only  to  be  seen  to  be  appreciated,  and  now 
that  the  members  have  had  an  opportunity  to  wit- 
ness the  beautiful  valley  in  which  Peoria  is  situated, 
the  commanding  bluff,  the  charming  lake,  the 
splendid  water-works,  the  network  of  railways 
which  centre  there,  the  immense  coal  deposits,  the 
important  manufacturing  and  commercial  interests 
of  the  city,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  those  who  aro 
not  immediately  interested  in  Springfield  are  satis- 
fled  that  the  capital  should  be  removed. 


ALEXANDER  COUNTY. 

[From  the  Cairo  Bulletin.] 

SHALL    THE    STATB    CAPITAL     BE    REMOVED    TO 
PEOBIA  ? 

At  the  first  thought  one  would  hardly 
think  there  could  be  any  question  about  it, 
but  the  Peoria  authorities  and  the  Peoria 
people  have  set  about  the  matter  in  such 
earnestness,  and  with  such  an  evident  ap- 
pearance of  business,  that  it  is  really  very 
much  talked  of.  Of  course,  objections  are 
made,  but  Peoria  meets  them  all  with  a 
vigor  to  which  a  simple  denial  is  not  a  suf- 
ficient answer.  The  state  has  already  ex- 
pended over  $800,000  on  the  new  state 
house,  here,  says' Springfield.  Wo  will  pay 
it  all  back,  says  Peoria.  It  would  put  off 
the  time  for  its  completion,  says  Spring- 
field. We  will  furnish  rooms  for  the  de- 
partments and  for  the  meetings  of  the  as- 
sembly for  five  years  free,  says  Peoria.  The 
legislature  has  agreed  to  build  here,  says 
Springfield.  Take  the  old  state  house  for 
nothing  and  be  satisfied,  says  Peoria  ;  and 
adds,  we  will  give  the  finest  site  in  the 
state,  consisting  of  twenty  broad  acres  on 
our  healthy  bluffs. 

WARREN  COUNTY. 

The  Monmouth  Review  says  : 

'.'A  more  desirable  location  for  the  capi- 
tal cannot  be  found  in  the  state  ,  while  any 
obscure  inland  town  would  be  preferable  to 
Springfield." 

Resolution  adopted  by  a  public  meeting 
held  at  Monmouth,  April  1,  1871 : 

Resolved,  That  we  believe  the  passage  of 
i  a  bill  for  the  immediate  removal  of  the  seat 
I   of  government   to  Peoria,  without  submit- 
j  ting  such   removal  to   an   election,  would 
meet  with  the  hearty  concurrence  of  a  vast 
majority  of  the  people  ;    but  if  such  an  act 
is   not  passed,  then  we  most   earnestly  re- 
quest our  senators   and  representatives   to 
vote  against  any  and  all  appropriations  for 
the  building  of  the  new  capital  at  Spring- 
field, or  for  the  purchase  of  any  grounds  at 
that  point  for  government  purposes. 

[From  the  Monmouth  Atlas.] 

Peoria  will  yet  be  the  capital  of  Illinois.  In  soil, 
natural  scenery,  and  business  impetus,  it  has  a  vast 
advantage  over  its  rival.  The  present  capital  is  in  a 
low  section  of  the  country,  very  imperfectly  drained 
and  therefore  never  a  healthy  locality.  Of  scenery 
it  is  entirely  destitute,  arid  business  has  never  de- 
veloped and  never  can. 

MBNARD  COUNTY. 

"Menard  county  is  unanimously  in  favor 
of  removing  the  capital  to  Peoria  ;  and  we 
call  upon  our  members  in  the  legislature — 
Laning  in  the  senate  and  Knowles  in  the 
house — to  use  every  effort  in  their  power 
to  bring  about  the  desired  result." 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


21 


FULTON    COUNTY. 

The  following  is  a  resolution  adopted  at 
a  public  meeting  held  in  Farmington,  April 
10,  1871 ;  Wm.  Caldwell,  president;  George 
Kidder,  secretary  : 

Resolved,  That  we  believe  that  the  pas- 
sage of  a  bill  for  the  immediate  removal  of 
the  seat  to  Peoria,  without  submitting  such 
removal  to  an  election,  would  meet  with 
the  hearty  concurrence  of  a  vast  majority 
of  the  people ;  but  if  such  an  aot  is  not 
passed,  then  we  most  earnestly  request  our 
senators  and  representatives  to  vote  against 
any  and  all  appropriations  for  the  building 
of  the  new  capitol  at  Springfield. 

Resolutions  adopted  at  a  public  meeting 
held  in  Canton,  April  llth;  J.  G.  Piper, 
chairman,  and  Dr.  A.  Bell,  secretary  : 

Resolved,  That  the  best  interests  of  the 
state  calls  for  the  removal  of  the  state  cap- 
ital from  Springfield  to  Peoria,  and  that 
our  representatives  and  the  senators  from 
this  district  be  requested  to  vote  for  and 
use  every  honorable  means  to  secure  the 
removal  of  the  capital  to  Peoria. 

Resolved,  That  we  do  not  believe  the  ma- 
jority of  the  people  of  this  state  feel  wil- 
ling to  see  more  money  expended  in  build- 
ing a  state  house  at  Springfield,  and  that 
we  therefore  request  our  representatives 
and  senators  to  oppose  all  appropriations 
for  that  purpose. 

Resolved,  That  in  our  opinion  a  large  ma- 
jority of  the  people  of  this  state  would 
endorse  the  action  of  this  legislature  in 
passing  a  bill  for  the  immediate  removal  of 
the  state  capital,  but  in  case  the  same  is  not 
done  we  request  our  senators  and  represen- 
tatives to  procure  the  passage  of  a  bill 
submitting  the  question  of  such  removal 
to  the  people. 

Resolutions  adopted  at  a  meeting  of  the 
citizens  of  Fulton  county,  held  at  the  Court 
House,  in  Lewistown,  April  1,  1871 ;  J.  W. 
Proctor,  chairman;  W.  T.  Davidson,  secre- 
tary : 

Resolved,  That  in  the  contest.between  the 
cities  of  Peoria  and  Springfield,  as  cities, 
we^express  no  preference,  but  as  citizens  of 
the  state  interested  in  its  prosperity  and 
greatness,  we  unhesitatingly  declare  for 
Peoria.  And  she  having  in  her  offer  assured 
the  state  against  loss  in  case  of  removal, 
and  proposed  to  present  to  the  state  the 
magnificent  site  for  the  capitol  on  thebluff, 
added  to  her  natural  and  artificial  means 
of  communication  with  all  sections  of  the 
state,  we  believe  that  the  best  interests  of 
the  people  demand  that  the  capitol  be  re- 
moved from  Spriigfield  to  Peoria  at  once. 

Eesolvtd,  That,  as  the  whole  people  are 
interested  in  this  important  subject,  we 


earnestly  urge  upon  the  senators  from 
this  district  and  the  representatives  from 
this  county,  if  in  their  opinion  a  removal 
by  the  legislature  cannot  be  obtained,  to 
submit  the  question  of  removal  to  a  vote  of 
the  people  at  as  early  a  day  as  practicable  ; 
and  in  the  interim  we  ask  them  to  use  all 
honorable  means  to  prevent  any  and  all  ad- 
ditional appropriations  for  the  work  on  the 
state  house  at  Springfield,  until  such  vote 
can  be  had  and  the  result  ascertained.  And 
in  this  course  we  pledge  them  our  undivi- 
ded and  earnest  support. 

[From  the  Canton  Register. 
The  question  is  narrowed  down — Spring- 
field or  Peoria,  which  shall  it  be?  It  is  out 
of  the  question  to  consider  any  other  point 
as  in  competition  with  Springfield.  Let  the 
matter  go  to  the  people  and  it  can  soon  be 
decided.  If  the  people  decide  in  favor  ef 
Springfield,  then  will  we  all  hold  our  peace, 
and  go  on  and  build  a  state  house  at  that 
place  worthy  of  the  state.  If  the  people 
prefer  Peoria,  then  let  it  be  so,  and  in  due 
time  we  will  be  able  to  point  to  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  capital  cities  to  be  found  in 
the  west. 

[From  the  Lewistown  Democrat.] 
Peoria  is  using  every  effort  to  secure  the 
removal  ef  the  state  capital  to  that  city, 
and  her  citizems  in  these  efforts  have  the 
entire  sympathy  of  the  people  of  this 
county. 

[From  the  Canton  Ledger. 
The  people  speak  in  terms  which  cannot 
be    misunderstood.     Fulton    and     Mason 
counties  are  almost  to  a  man  in  favor  of 
Peoria. 

LA  SALL.E  COUNTY. 

Resolutions  adopted  at  a  public  meeting 
at  La  Salle,  March  24,  1871 ;  L.  Leland, 
cbairmaa  ;  J.  G.  Armstrong,  secretary : 

Resolved,  That  this  meeting  heartily  ap- 
proves the  movement  inaugurated  by  the 
city  of  Peoria  for  the  removal  of  the  capi- 
tal of  our  great  state  to  so  eligible,  acces- 
sible and  beautiful  location  as  that  proposed 
to  be  furnished  by  the  city  of  Peoria.  Be  it 
further 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  the  citi- 
zens of  Ottawa,  here  assembled,  Springfield 
is  not  the  proper  place  for  the  state  capitol; 
that  the  former  is  inaccessible  and  the 
latter  accessible ;  that  the  former  boasta 
neither  natural  or  artificial  attractions  in 
its  location  and  surroundings,  and  that  the 
latter  possesses  all  the  natural  advantages 
required  for  the  seat  of  government  of  the 
state.  Be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  the  senators  and  represen- 
tatives from  the  county  of  La  Salle  be  re- 
quested to  use  their  best  endeavors  to 
second  the  citizens  of  Peoria  county  in 
securing  the  proposed  change. 


22 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


mouvois  COUNTY. 

[From  the  Wataeka  Republican.] 

We  would  be  glad  enough  to  have  the 
capital  at  Peoria.  It  is  the  second  citj  of 
the  state,  and  has  the  most  beautiful  loca- 
tion of  any  town  in  the  west.  So  far  as 
this  part  of  the  state  is  concerned,  the  cap- 
ital might  as  well  be  over  in  Missouri  or 
down  in  Arkansas,  as  where  it  is. 

Resolutions  adopted  at  a  meeting  of  citi- 
zens of  Iroquois  county,  held  at  the  court 
house  in  Watseka,  April  13th,  1871,  M. 
Stanly,  chairman;  and  A.  Honneywell,  sec- 
retary : 

WHEREAS,  In  the  opinion  of  this  meeting 
a  large  majority  of  the  voters  of  Iroquois 
county  favor  said  removal  to  Peoria  ;  there- 
fore, 

Resolved,  That  our  representatives  and 
senators  in  the  general  assembly  be,  and 
hereby  are,  requested  to  vote  for  a  law  sub- 
mitting the  question  of  removal  of  the  state 
capital  to  Peoria  to  a  vote  of  the  people,  at 
the  election  in  November  next. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this 
meeting,  no  law  making  additional  appto- 
driations  for  the  building  of  a  new  state 
house  in  Springfield  should  be  passed  by 
the  legislature,  unless  it  contains  a  clause 
submitting  said  proposed  law  and  appro- 
priation to  a  vote  of  the  people,  for  appro- 
val or  disapproval. 

STARK    COUNTY. 

[From  the  Toulon  Chief.! 

Peoria  is  the  best  place  in  the  state  for 
the  seat  of  government.  Her  railroad  sys- 
tem is  becoming  so  complete  that  access  is 
easy  from  every  portion  of  the  state.  And 
her  commanding  bluffs,  her  lovely  lake, 
and  the  beauty  of  her  scenery,  and  the  en- 
terprise of  her  citizens,  present  induce- 
ments that  are  to  be  found  in  no  .other 
place. 

[From  Stark  County  News.] 

Having  the  advantage  there  in  esthetic 
and  utilitarian  sense,  situated  so  as  to  be 
of  the  greatest  good  to  the  greatest  num- 
ber, and  the  present  being  the  time  for  a 
change  if  ever,  we  second  the  motion  for 
removing  the  capital  of  the  empire  state  of 
the  west,  from  Springfield  to  Peoria. 

CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY. 

[From  the  Champaign  Gazette.] 
Peoria  certainly  possesses  the  finest  site 
for  the  capitol  in  the  state,  and  that  her 
proposition  is  liberal  to  a  fault.  There  need 
be  no  doubt  concerning  the  sincerity  of  the 
offer.  Peoria,  with  her  25,000  industrious, 
enterprising,  energetic  inhabitants,  with 
her  churches  and  schools,  and  her  charac- 
ter for  morality  and  temperance,  stands 
pledged  in  the  strongest  manner  to  comply 
with  the  proposition,  should  it  be  accepted. 


MORGAN  COUNTY. 

[From  the  Jacksonville  Independent.] 

As  it  (the  removal  of  the  capital)  is  vir- 
tually a  people's  question,  our  legislature 
should  pass  a  law  calling  for  a  popular 
vote  of  the  people.  They  have  to  foot  the 
bills,  and  it  is  they  who  should  have  the 
right  to  say  what  shall  be  done.  Now  as 
sixty.five  one-hundredths  of  the  population 
of  the  state  reside  north  of  Springfield,  and 
they  pay  seven-tenths  of  the  state  tax,  we 
think  Peoria  has  very  superior  claims  upon 
the  state  capital,  and  we  hope  she  will  get 
it.  But  let  the  people,  by  a  popular  vote, 
decide  whether  the  capital  shall  be  moved, 
and  if  so,  to  what  place. 

[From  the  Jacksonville  Journal.] 
It  seems  tons  that  the  members  of  the  general  as- 
sembly cannot  do  less  than  submit  the  state  house 
question  to  the  people,  to  be  decided  by  a  general 
vots.  The  people  have  a  right  to  be  heard  in  the 
matter — the  property  belongs  to  them,  and  they  can 
only  express  their  opinions  aa  to  the  proper  location 
of  the  letate  house  oy  means  of  the  ballot-box.  It 
seems  to  be  the  general  desire  that  the  matter  should 
be  put  to  vote. 

McDONOUGH    COUNTY. 

[From  Ifncomb  Journal.] 

Taking  all  things  into  consideration,  it 
would  be  money  in  the  pockets  of  the  peo- 
ple for  the  legislature  to  accept  the  propo- 
sition made  by  the  citizens  of  Peoria. 

[From  the  Bushnell  Record.] 
Senator  Hampton  gave  us  a  call  this 
morning  (Saturday),  having  just  returned 
from  Peoria,  where  he  had  been  "  locating 
the  capital."  He  said  yesterday  was  a  big 
day  for  Peoria  ;  that  her  citizens  did  their 
prettiest.  He  confirms  the  statement  that 
members  are  highly  pleased  with  Peoria  as 
a  site  for  the  state  capital,  and  expressed 
his  belief  that  it  would  be  located  there. 

Senator  Hampton's'  head  is  level  on  the 
capital  question,  and  we  concur  with  him 
in  the  opinion  that  Peoria  will  be  the  seat 
of  government  of  the  state. 

KANE  COUNTY. 

[From  the  Elgin  Gazette.] 
Peoria  is  the  second  city  in  the  state,  and 
is  rapidly  assuming  an  importance  which 
its  merits  justly  call  for.  If  a  change  is  to 
be  made — and  there  are  many  reasons  why 
it  would  be  very  desirable — no  more  gen- 
erally acceptable  place  could  be  chosen 
than  Peoria. 

[From  the  Batavia  News.] 

We  see  that  a  great  number  of  our  exchanges  are 
in  favor  of  removing  the  state  capital  from  Spring- 
field to  Peoria.  As  for  ourselves,  we  think  the  legis- 
lature could  do  no  better  than  to  vote  for  removal, 
as  Springfield  is  not  the  point  for  the  capital  of  our 
great  prairie  state.  It  is  not  accessible  either  by 
railroad  or  water;  Peoria  is  by  both ;  the  site  for  the 
capitol  building  at  Springfield  is  not  a  good  one, 
while  the  proposed  site  at  Peoria  cannot  be  excelled 
by  any  city  in  the  state.  The  proposition  made  by 
Peoria  is  a  good  one,  and  will  be  money  in  th« 
treasury  of  the  state  to  accept  It. 


THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


23 


KANKAKEE  COUNTY. 

The  following  preamble  and  resolutions 
were  adopted  by  the  common  council  of  the 
city  of  Kankakee  on  Monday  evening,  April 
22,  1871.  The  Times  of  that  city  says  they 
are  a  fair  reflex  of  the  sentiment  of  the 
people  : 

WHERKAS,  It  isjuniversally  conceded  that 
the  interests  of  the  state  demand  a  speedy 
removal  of  the  state  capital  from  Spring- 
field ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  in  our  opinion,  as  the  city 
of  Peoria  is  centrally  located,  easy  of  access 
from  every  part  of  the  state,  and  distin- 
guished for  its  manufacturing  and  com- 
mercial facilities,  the  generous  offer  of  the 
citizens  should  be  favorably  considered  by 
our  legislature  now  in  session. 

Ruolved,  That  we  request  the  senator  and 
representatives  of  this  district,  to  use  all 
fair  and  honorable  means  to  secure  the 
passage  of  an  act  that  shall  authorize  the 
removal  of  the  capital  to  Peoria,  without 
the  expense  and  delay  of  submitting  it  to  a 
vote  of  the  people. 

[From  the  Kankakee  Times.] 
We  would  not  attribute  any  undue  influence 
brought  to  bear  upon  the  action  of  our  members,  in 
their  eupport  of  the  Springfield  interest,  against  the 
wishes  of  their  constituents,  but,  to  say  the  least, 
their  aetion  is  certainly  straage.  It  may  be  that  our 
representatives  are  not  apprised  of  the  very  decided 
feeling  on  this  question,  in  favor  of  Peoria,  by  our 
citizens. 

MASON  COUNTY. 

[From  the  Havana  Reveille.] 
In  discussing  the  capital  removal  ques- 
tion, there  is  one  right  that  must  never  be 
lost  sight  of,  and  that  is  the  right  of  the 
people  to  decide  where  they  prefer  to  have 
the  seat  of  government  located.  If  any 
attempt  is  made  to  prevent  a  fair  test  of 
this  question,  such  an  attempt  is  an  inter- 
ference with  natural  rights. 

CASS    COUNTY, 

[From  the  Beardntown  Illiuoisan.J 
Peoria  has  the  advantage  and  preference 
of  a  preponderance  of  the  state  sentiment 
in  her  favor.  She  has  the  unbounded  ad- 
vantage in  site,  location,  improvement, 
business  and  enterprise.  The  growing  sen- 
timent is  in  favor  of  Peoria  as  the  future 
capital  of  the  great  state  of  Illinois. 


WOODFORD    COUNTY. 

Resolutions  adopted  at  a  meeting  of  citi- 
zens of  Woodford  county,  held  at  the  .court 
house,  in  Eureka,  on  March  30,  1871 ;  F. 
Rohman,  chairman,  and  S.  S.  Page,  secre- 
tary : 

Resolved,  By  the  citizens  of  Woodford 
county,  state  of  Illinois,  that  the  proposed 
change  of  the  capital  of  Illinois  from  the 
city  of  Springfield  to  the  city  of  Peoria, 
meets  our  hearty  approval. 

Resolved,  That  our  senators  aad  represen- 
tatives in  the  state  legislature,  be  requested 
to  use  their  best  endeavors,  by  their  votes 
and  otherwise,  in  carrying  out  the  proposed 
change ;  and  they  are  hereby  requested  to 
vote  against  any  appropriation  to  complete 
the  capitol  building  now  in  course  of  erec- 
tion in  the  city  of  Springfield,  until  •  the 
people  decide  the  location  of  the  state  cap- 
itol either  at  Peoria  or  the  city  of  Spring- 
field. 

[From  the  £1  Paso  Journal.]] 

There  never  before  has  been  so  much 
feeling  stirred  up  among  the  people,  and  so 
universal  an  expression  in  favor  of  removal. 
We  say  to  Springfield  that  if  she  persists 
in  the  determination  to  force  this  measure, 
without  at  least  submission  to  the  people, 
that  a  legislature  will  come  up  to  Spring- 
field two  years  hence,  specially  elected  on 
this  state  house  question,  who  will  tear 
down,  stone  by  stone,  and  brick  by  brick, 
the  present  unfinished  structure,  and  re- 
move it  elsewhere,  and  to  a  more  accepta- 
ble place. 

LAKE     COUNTY. 
[From  the  Waukegan  Patriot.] 

The  people  of  this  county  are  a  unit  in 
favor  of  the  removal  of  the  capital  from 
Springfield,  and  accept  Peoria's  munificent 
offer  with  great  satisfaction  ;  and  it  is  their 
desire  that  their  representatives  in  the  gen- 
eral assembly  put  forth  their  best  efforts  to 
accomplish  the  removal. 

JO  WAVIESS    COUNTY. 

[Prom  the  Galena  Gazette.] 
We  have  taken  some  pains  to  ascertain  the  senti- 
ments of  the  people  of  Jo  Daviess  county  on  this 
question,  and  as  far  as  we  have  heard  an  expression 
it  is  almost  unanimous  for  removal.  There  are  a 
few  men,  and  some  of  them  men  of  judgment  and 
intelligence — who  oppose  the  movement,  but  they 
do  not  constitute  one  in  ten  of  the  legal  voters. 


